The Woodcutter

I have finished Reginald Hill’s The Woodcutter book, which was pretty good and based in some of our favourite parts of Cumbria, which was a plus. L loved it too, although I’m struggling to understand why she didn’t make the sign of the cross at it, as a lot of it is about money.

Seems she has the hots for the principal character Wilfred, better known as Wolf. I hope it’s because she saw something of me in his character. He's a bit the worse for wear - weathered and with a limp, he lives with his collie in his rustic little Lakeland cottage. I tick all those boxes, even the Lakeland cottage.

Sadly this was Hill's last book in 2010 before he died last year.

We’re also finished the DVDs of Pillars of the Earth. Which L has sat through, mostly with her head in the hands muttering ‘why why why’ as they butchered the novel she so loved. I suppose it’s not unusual for the scriptwriters not to bother reading the book they're scripting but as Ken Follett had a hand in this one himself, you would have expected better.

It’s not put her off another of his books though; just don’t watch the TV version.

I have a committee meeting tonight, so no dog training. Which the dogs don’t seem to mind because I take them on the park first. Though Doggo apparently rebels after I've gone and when I get back, it's a surprise that L hasn't carried out her threat to tie him to a lamppost in the street.

(Monday 29^th April)

A Few Beheadings Before Bedtime

The legs are tired and I have squash tonight, so I decide not cycle.

When a colleague who does come on his bike describes it as ******* windy out there, I think I may have made the correct decision to leave the wheels at home today.

L has made a life changing decision and is not rejoining the running club. I shall join her in this renegade approach. I’ve always been a reluctant member anyway and have always felt a bit of a fraud because we never attend any of their events, help out and in my case I rarely wear their colours.

Not cycling doesn’t really help at squash. Although oddly for the fourth week in a row I am winning in the final game as the next players bang on the door to call time. I wonder if my opponent arranges that.

L is treating me to the TV series of ‘Pillars of the Earth’ a story of rape, pillage and beheadings in the 12^th Century that even L has been appalled by, although also riveted, on audiobook.

The actual story is about building a cathedral, which is I guess why the rape and pillage get so much time in the book, to jazz it up, along with Hayley Atwell. 

Anyhow I haven’t read the book, L has obviously and reckons the TV version is nothing like. Personally I’m just finding it jolly confusing but we’ll see it through.

(Thursday 4^th April)